Elitist, Populist or Prophetic?A Critique of Public Theologizing in Democratic South Africa

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" Elitist, Populist or Prophetic?A Critique of Public Theologizing in Democratic South Africa "
Jakub Urbaniak

Document Type	:	AL
Record Number	:	1069285
Doc. No	:	LA112914
Call No	:	‭10.1163/15697320-12341546‬
Language of Document	:	English
Main Entry	:	Jakub Urbaniak
Title & Author	:	Elitist, Populist or Prophetic?A Critique of Public Theologizing in Democratic South Africa [Article]\ Jakub Urbaniak
Publication Statement	:	Leiden: Brill
Title of Periodical	:	International Journal of Public Theology
Date	:	2018
Volume/ Issue Number	:	12/3-4
Page No	:	332–352
Abstract	:	Much has been already written about public theology’s prophetic role in democratic South Africa. This study seeks to offer a reality check. By probing some of Nico Koopman’s views on justice and reconciliation I draw tentative conclusions regarding the shortcomings characteristic of the prevalent discourses that have developed in South Africa under the umbrella of public theology since the mid-1990s. I seek to explain why liberation theologies—be it black, feminist or queer—may and should constructively disrupt these discourses. I also point to some promising (prophetically-loaded) insights coming from the chosen public theologians that revolve around the tension between civic spirit and public anger. Lastly, I suggest that one essential aspect of public theologians’ navigating between a populist temptation and a prophetic calling may be found in the need to rethink their theological accountability whereby grooving with people’s anger appears as a sine qua non condition for prophetic theologizing. Much has been already written about public theology’s prophetic role in democratic South Africa. This study seeks to offer a reality check. By probing some of Nico Koopman’s views on justice and reconciliation I draw tentative conclusions regarding the shortcomings characteristic of the prevalent discourses that have developed in South Africa under the umbrella of public theology since the mid-1990s. I seek to explain why liberation theologies—be it black, feminist or queer—may and should constructively disrupt these discourses. I also point to some promising (prophetically-loaded) insights coming from the chosen public theologians that revolve around the tension between civic spirit and public anger. Lastly, I suggest that one essential aspect of public theologians’ navigating between a populist temptation and a prophetic calling may be found in the need to rethink their theological accountability whereby grooving with people’s anger appears as a sine qua non condition for prophetic theologizing.
Descriptor	:	anger
Descriptor	:	elitist
Descriptor	:	General
Descriptor	:	Jewish Studies
Descriptor	:	Philosophy, Theology Science
Descriptor	:	populist
Descriptor	:	Practical Theology
Descriptor	:	prophetic
Descriptor	:	public theology
Descriptor	:	Religion Society
Descriptor	:	Religious Studies
Descriptor	:	Social Sciences
Descriptor	:	Sociology of Religion
Descriptor	:	South Africa
Descriptor	:	Theology and World Christianity
Location & Call number	:	‭10.1163/15697320-12341546‬